A Shipping Good Time at Port Open Day

More than 2,000 people descended through the Port of Albany gates on Saturday [27 April] to gain a unique insight into the inner workings of the port.

The Port Open Day gave the Great Southern community an opportunity to get up close to a vessel berthing, tugs showcasing their firefighting abilities, and machinery used as part of the import and export process.

Southern Ports Regional Manager Albany Paul McSweeney said it was a fantastic atmosphere with an attendance of more than double the last community open day.

“It was a terrific day with so many people showing an interest in how our port operates,” said Mr McSweeney.

“We know how much our port means to the community from both an economic and historic perspective, so it was a great opportunity to bring together our customers and key stakeholders to show how much the community means to us too.”

“We’ve had fantastic feedback from those who attended, including highlights of the Watatsumi vessel’s arrival, the treasure hunt and port tours, and we can’t wait to do it all again in a couple of years’ time.”

A range of local organisations and port users were in attendance including Great Southern Development Commission, Department of Transport, Svitzer Australia, QUBE, City of Albany, Museum of Great Southern, CBH Group, Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Cycling Without Age, Water Corporation, UWA, Big T Transport and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

An early premiere of the first episode of the short series Voice Prints – Lasting impressions of the Port of Albany was aired that is being prepared to mark the 2026 Albany Bicentenary.

Southern Ports facilitates more than 37 million tonnes of trade across its three ports at Albany, Bunbury and Esperance. Last year the Port of Albany hit an all-time trade record, facilitating 5.5 million tonnes of trade across the key commodities of grain, woodchips, silica sand and fertiliser.

For more information visit southernports.com.au.